EMIR SANUSI: WHERE FORTH ART THOU?

Your majesty, I am looking for you o. Since my brother Kola Kareem brought me to you in Victoria Island and I joined you for dinner, he has refused or failed to bring me to your presence again. You know that day, I ate more than three plates of rice and I asked him as we were going home that day o. I said, “Egbon, me I hope the fact that I ate well did not annoy his highness?” Kola assured me that I should not worry that no matter how much I ate, I cannot eat more than you, your Majesty. Now, I am really in a quandary as to why this same Kola has not brought me to your presence o. Let me tell you the matter very quickly. In our bid to tell some very powerful historical stories on stage which has led us to telling the story of Awo, OBJ and Jakande, the need to balance it out has become quite imperative. We just told the story of Olu of Warri this Easter, and as a result, we have come to the conclusion that the very next story is that of your grandfather, the original Emir Sanusi. The script has been commissioned and finished. It was written by the famous Prof Ahmed Yerima who also wrote Aremu – the one on OBJ and we have secured The Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja and Muson Centre in Lagos for the plays this August. Your Majesty, for the first time ever, this play will feature in Lagos and Abuja at the same time with two different casts of 100 each in both locations. Already, the National Dance Troupe is committed and its Director-General Muhammed Ahmed Muhammed is the Co-Executive Producer. Now my dilemma: Everybody I have gone to have said, I should get your consent. Well, this is a historical piece with all the information out there but I also do believe that we must give you the honour of officially informing you before we unleash the colourful and rich culture, traditions and stories of your people on the world. I have met with legendary Kadaria Ahmed on this matter and she has assured me of her support in reaching you. So, your majesty, here is me giving you a seven day ultimatum to make thyself available, failure which you will see a naked Akwa Ibom man stand in front of thy residence with a placard saying: “Emir Sanusi, what is the matter na?” Thank you.